Today is our 14 Year Anniversary and I am thankful for Mark Anthony Brewer. Not only today, but every single day. Thankful for the Christian life God has blessed us with. I pray the Lord blesses us with many more years in His service!
I first laid eyes on Mark Brewer on October 21, 2004. My cousin, Edward had passed away and Mark just so happened to be the new Preacher at the church in my hometown.
I remember that moment like it was yesterday. He was standing in the aisle wearing a brownish suit and in that very moment, my heart no longer belonged to myself.
The next day I received a phone call from another cousin, Jennifer and she said something along the lines of, “Jeff said you were eyeballing the Preacher!”
I quickly replied that I most certainly was not. Then I thought back to the previous day and realized that maybe I was.
When I received a call later on from said Preacher, I knew I was. Yikes. Anyways, we met for breakfast and a short two years and almost one month later, were married.
Mark not only married me, but also my two girls. See, I had a five-year-old and a one-year-old when we met and that didn’t deter him. Not even a little. He adopted our girls and has raised them right by my side.
Our Number One Priority
When I think of Mark, I think of Ephesians 5:25:
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
I think of Ephesians 5:28-33:
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the LORD the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
I think of these verses because Mark puts me first in all things. He always makes sure I have the things of this life that I need. He wants to see me happy.
But the most important reason I think of these verses is because Mark wants me and the girls to go to Heaven. That is his number one priority. Yes, he wants me to be happy and have things here on earth, but not to the detriment of my soul.
That, my dear ladies is what we should all strive to get in a husband. A man who loves you enough to be the husband he is required to be by God. A man who puts your spiritual health above things of this world.
That, husbands of the world, is what you should strive to be for your wife. A man who loves her enough to be the man and husband you are required to be by God. A man who puts your family’s spiritual health above all things. Above ball games. Above deer hunting. Above your career. Above money. Above all earthly things.
Oh, and those last two paragraphs can be reversed. Husbands should strive to marry a godly woman and wives should also love her husband’s soul above all earthly things. We should be hyper focused on helping our spouse and family get to Heaven. Period.
Are you single? Pray for God to send someone your way who will help you get to Heaven. Then have faith that God will answer your prayer.
What if you are a Christian but the person you love is not?
Live the Christian life. Show them by your example what it means to put God first. Set your affections on the things above (Colossians 3:2) and show it. Show your spouse that you love them more than all things EXCEPT GOD.
Matthew 5:16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Study and be ready to answer when your spouse asks questions about the gospel. (Don’t be afraid to answer with a simple, “Let me study that out and get back to you” if you don’t know the answer)
Stand firm in your faith. Don’t let the one you love to influence you to put God second. You must be the example and not allow their example to cause you to lose your soul. Remember, you have a responsibility as a Christian to be the example God requires.
1 Peter 3:15: But sanctify the LORD God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
1 Corinthians 10:31-33: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved
Then pray. Pray like the life of your loved one depends on it. Because it does.
Romans 12:12: Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Philippians 4:6: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
What if you are not a Christian but would like to study so you can be a Christian example to your loved one?
Please, don’t wait until it’s too late. Pick up your Bible and study. Email me at theleahjournal@gmail.com if you aren’t sure where to start. I don’t care if we don’t know each other. I will be more than happy to study with you!
Do this and you’ll find it’s much easier to be an example to your loved ones. Show them that the most important thing in life is getting to Heaven.
Why don't we start with how one becomes a Christian:
1. Hear the Gospel. (Romans 10:17, John 8:32)
2. Believe the Gospel (Hebrews 11:6, John 20:31)
3. Repent of past sins (Luke 13:3, Acts 17:30)
4. Confess faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:10, Matthew 10:32)
5. Be Baptized (Galatians 3:27, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)
6. Be faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10)
As always, I am happy to study with anyone, day, or night. My husband Mark is also happy to study with anyone, day, or night.
In Christian Love,
Leah Brewer
